Fantasy Football Week 14: Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Quarterback Edition

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Coming into Week 14 of the fantasy football season, many fantasy owners have either drafted or picked up that one quarterback that they feel will take them to the promised land in their leagues. Other fantasy owners have been running a “quarterback by committee” approach to the season and have been, as Bon Jovi says it, “Livin on a Prayer!” If you are one of those managers, or if you have two good quarterbacks on your team and can’t quite decide who to play this week, I have my list of the quarterbacks you need to start and sit for the first week of the fantasy football playoffs.

Start: Alex Smith

In fantasy football, it is all about matchups. In Week 14, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will have a very good chance to put up serious fantasy points. The Chiefs are going up against the dreadful Washington Redskins. Teams have been putting up points at will on the Redskins’ defense, and I expect the same from Smith this week. Not only has Smith showed that he can hit his targets this year, but he is not afraid to run when the time comes. Alex Smith has thrown for over 230 yards in the last three games. Smith should have another nice day against the Chiefs, and I think he will throw for over 220 yards in this game and three touchdowns.

Start: Matt McGloin

If you would have asked me after Matt McGloin first started for the Oakland Raiders, “Do you feel that McGloin will have any fantasy value from here on out?” I would have told you, no way! Well, I was pretty wrong on that one! McGloin has shown the Raiders that he has poise in the pocket and can be a very accurate passer. In Week 14, the Raiders will take on the struggling New York Jets. The Raiders’ backfield is not the healthiest, which will force McGloin to throw the ball in this game. I feel that McGloin will have over 250 yards passing and at least a touchdown, probably two, in this game.

Sit: Andrew Luck

If you would have asked me at the beginning of the season if there would ever be a foreseeable time that I would recommend someone to bench Andrew Luck, I would have said no. However, that is why they play the game I guess. Since Reggie Wayne went down with a season-ending injury, Luck just has not been the same quarterback. Since Week 11, Luck had not thrown for over 235 yards and has not scored multiple touchdowns in any of those games. In his Week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Luck is facing a tough defense in this game. If you are an Luck owner, I would sit him before you hurt yourself in your league’s playoffs. I know he is the guy that helped get you to where you are, but sometimes you have to know when to go with someone else for the better of your team and your season!

Sit: Ben Roethlisberger

For most of the season, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been the focal point of his team’s offense. With the departure of Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall, as well as the early injuries to Le’Veon Bell, Big Ben has had to do it all in order for the Steelers to score. In Week 14, his Steelers are taking on a Miami Dolphins defense that has let up only one touchdown to opposing offenses through the air. This does not spell good things for a Steelers offense that is dependent on the arm of Roethlisberger. I can see Ben throwing for over 300 yards, but no touchdowns. If your leagues do not give a bonus for hitting 300 yards, I would definitely try to find someone else to start in Week 14.

Dom DeCarlo is a Fantasy blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him @DomDecarlo1, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.